Asphalt isn't usually burned by wildfires. The most significant dangers to the pavement from fires are cracks, deformation, landslides, and the potholes that follow.

Following the numerous wildfires which destroyed many communities - more and more in recent years - news clips often depict blocks after blocks of destroyed homes and landscapes that have been reduced to ashes. There are only a few remnants, such as chimneys, a rare untouched structure, mailboxes, tree trunks, and possibly a burned car on the driveway.

Pay attention to the driveways. Along with the sidewalks that remain, they create an outline of what was there before the catastrophe hit. The roads allow rescue and news vehicles to get to the area. Why for the largest part the driveways and roads do not ignite? Because asphalt is made of bitumen, which is the hydrocarbon that is derived from petroleum, it is only natural that it is inflammable.

By and large, the pavement (with some exceptions) doesn't burn due to many crucial reasons. One reason is that a large portion of the asphalt is non-combustible. Little stones and sand make up around 90% of the pavement in volume. The second reason is that the temperature of ignition for bitumen is around 900 degrees (F), but it is boiling at 600 degrees (F) which is more likely to be melting and vaporizing prior to the time it can burn. The ground is colder than fires that lick at trees, homes as well as vehicles, which is why the short period of time that a fire burns over asphalt doesn't cause it to heat to temperatures of 900 degrees.

Therefore, wildfires that mercilessly destroy homes and businesses offer an opportunity for business growth for construction firms working on homes; however, this is not applicable to the parking lot or driveway contractor, nor to the concrete or asphalt contractor who builds pathways, patios, and sidewalks.

There are instances when an asphalt road might seem to be burning from high temperatures. The first is when there is an accumulation of oil; for instance, when vehicles that leak the fluid are often stationed. Another is when a car inside a tunnel is struck by fire. The vehicle's fuel or the substance that is inside the car (e.g., an oil truck) that is burning, often with explosions, can grow within the tunnel, resulting in melting or burning the pavement (if temperatures exceed 900 degrees). Of course, there's plenty of destruction and possibly even death that accompanies such a situation.

However, even though asphalt pavement rarely burns, it doesn't mean fires can't negatively impact pavement. The damage is caused by massive fire trucks and other fire fighting vehicles traveling roads, which, especially those in remote areas aren't designed for heavy traffic. The problem is that when the temperature of the fires is sufficiently close, it causes the pavement to become elastic, with the possibility of melting. The damage is comparable to normal roads but without the wear and tear that normally develops over the course of time.

Other consequences of wildfires on asphalt pavements include cracking. Similar to any temperature fluctuation, it leads to water entering the sublayers beneath the road. This eventually causes potholes. As for those who are involved in the work of asphalt, there's an inherent danger to anyone inhaling smoke from extremely hot asphalt.

Other road hazards that result caused by fires include fallen fires and hot burning embers that render them unpassable - a danger to those who are trying to get away from the fire. In areas with hills, the first heavy downpour after a wildfire could result in landslides which block and even degrade roads.

The main point is that although driveways and roads made of asphalt may appear to be safe from wildfires, the actual damage could come in a variety of types during the days and weeks that come.